Salary Range: $118,923-$170,951/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Associate Legal Counsel reports to the Senior Legal Counsel, Executive Director, Information Access Privacy and Technology Development, and possesses strong leadership abilities to provide general legal support and advice to leaders at all levels within PHSA and its programs.  The Associate Legal Counsel reviews and drafts agreements, conducts legal research, advises on risk management and other legal issues related to PHSA business operations in healthcare, with an emphasis on healthcare service agreements, software licenses, intellectual property agreements, data sharing agreements and medical staff contracts. The Associate Legal Counsel also advises on privacy issues and may assist the in-house legal team with employment matters.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Provides expert legal support and guidance to PHSA corporate and operational departments and leaders, managers and members of the in-house legal team on a wide variety of legal matters/issues to enable effective decision-making
• Responds to a variety of legal issues that affect the healthcare industry and the clinical and business operations of PHSA.  
• Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares legal opinions that may have significant impact to PHSA and its programs.
• Advises on new and existing legislation applicable to healthcare and impact to PHSA, its programs, services and staff.
• Drafts and revises legal documentation, including contracts, and negotiates with external parties on behalf of PHSA and its programs. Provides guidance on implications and courses of action.
• Anticipates and identifies legal issues and advises managers and directors on legal strategies and solutions to mitigate legal risk.
• Represents PHSA at various hearings, court and/or tribunals and presents arguments.
• Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep up-to-date with industry trends, developments, revised legislation and new regulations.
• Has primary responsibility for legal support and guidance on commercial agreements in relations to healthcare services.
  
  

Qualifications:

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a Law Degree from an accredited University supplemented by a minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of recent, related experience.  
• Current member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia or eligible for membership within a specified period.
• Substantial knowledge of and demonstrated familiarity with the legislative and regulatory framework governing healthcare.
• Knowledge of commercial transactions, information technology, intellectual property, administrative and privacy law.  
• Demonstrated ability to lead, plan, direct, manage and implement.  
• Ability to facilitate the resolution of issues.  
• Expert ability to analyze, research, evaluate and interpret legal issues.
• Exemplary ability in legal writing and drafting legal documents, and in the preparation of correspondence, summaries and reports.  
• Demonstrated ability to provide legal opinions and advice taking into account and understanding the needs of others to achieve helpful results.  
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences, including the ability to negotiate and persuade others.  
• Strong interpersonal skills.  
• Exhibits integrity, trust and professionalism.  
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills.  
• Computer proficiency with a variety of relevant software applications.